Bramante, Raphael, and Peruzzi had all been architects-in-chief, and many were the alterations in the plans.

Notwithstanding their differences during his early life, the design of Bramante was the one that commended itself to Michael Angelo; he abandoned Sangallo's design; the model for it still exists and we cannot wonder at Michael Angelo's decision.

His criticisms are given in a letter supposed to be to Bartolomeo Amanati.( 159) "It cannot be denied that Bramante was a brave architect, equal to any one from the times of the ancients until now.

He laid the first plan of Saint Peter's, not confused, but clear and simple, full of light and detached from surrounding buildings, so as not to injure any part of the palace.

It was considered a fine thing, and, indeed, it is still manifest that it was so; and all the architects who have departed from the plan of Bramante, as Sangallo has done, have departed from the truth.